Definition

Verb: - To damage or mar a surface by making shallow cuts or grooves on it, typically with something sharp or abrasive. - To cause superficial abrasions or marks on a surface, often resulting in its deterioration.

Usage

This verb describes the action of creating scratches on a surface, which can be accidental or deliberate. It implies a degree of damage or wear.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Be careful not to scratch up the new dining table when moving the chairs.
  • The cat managed to scratch up the leather sofa with its claws.
  • The keys in my pocket have scratched up the screen of my phone.

Advanced Usage

• "to scratch up the surface": This phrase emphasizes the act of damaging the outermost layer of an object.
  • The falling branches scratched up the surface of the car's paint.

Variants and Related Words

• Scratch (verb): To mark or cut a surface lightly with something sharp. This is the base form.
  • The diamond can scratch glass.

Synonyms

• Scrape: To rub against a surface, often causing damage or removing a layer.
• Score: To make a line or cut in a surface.
• Mar: To impair the appearance or quality of; disfigure.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Scratch out: To erase or cancel something by drawing lines through it.
  • He had to scratch out the mistake and write it again.

Related Idioms

• Up to scratch: Meeting the required standard; satisfactory.
  • His recent work hasn't been up to scratch.
• Start from scratch: To begin from the very beginning, without using any prior work or advantage.
  • After the fire, they had to start from scratch.

Verb

1. cut the surface of; wear away the surface of